Club Watch

Health and fitness clubs across the country in the spotlight.

* Sam Snead's Tavern is building a 6,000-square-foot restaurant on RDV Sportsplex's property in Orlando, Fla. Construction of the freestanding building should be complete by the summer.

* The Chicago Tribune reported that the village of Vernon Hills in Illinois has agreed to donate $500,000 toward the construction of a $6 million YMCA. In exchange, village residents will receive free swim lessons every Sunday for 10 years and reduced membership fees for one year. Developers plan to break ground in the spring and open the Y next winter.

* The New York Health & Racquet Club recently hosted a swing class that allowed members to work with cast members from "Swing!," a Broadway show.

* Fitness & Nutrition Inc., owner of a licensed WOW! Work Out World facility in Waterford, Conn., has acquired World Gym of Groton, Conn. The purchased facility will immediately change its name to WOW!, although all current services and memberships will remain intact. Also, the facility will receive an upgrade to match the appearance of the other WOW! facilities. In other news, WOW! corporate has leased a 25,000-square-foot location in Middletown, N.J.

* Fitness Zone of Bel Air, Md., and Knight Diver Aquatic Club of Edgewood, Md., have combined their efforts. Fitness Zone members can now buy an optional aquatic membership that gives them access to Knight Diver, while Knight Diver members can buy an optional fitness membership to Fitness Zone.

* Bally Total Fitness has relaunched its Web site, www.ballyfitness.com. The site now features enhanced graphics and speed, easier-to-navigate architecture and several new information sources, the company reports.

* Trainer's Club has signed an agreement to lease 13,000 square feet of retail space in the Lake Place Shopping Center, Lake Oswego, Ore. The facility will house a new high-end fitness club specifically designed for weight-training enthusiasts.

* Millennium SportsClub El Dorado in Shingle Springs, Calif., is undergoing a renovation and expansion. The expansion will include three phases. In phase one, three racquetball courts will become an aerobic studio, junior activities room and area for physical therapy. In phase two, the club will expand the building 5,000 square feet and remodel the weight and locker rooms. Finally, the club will expand the front of the club, cardio area and offices.

* Zigolini's, a cafe at the Sport Center at Chelsea Piers (New York City), has opened a sushi bar. The club claims that this is the first sushi bar in the United States located in a sports and fitness club.